Julia Gabriel Centre’s close affiliation with Trinity College London has enabled their qualified speech and drama teachers to work with our children in obtaining their Young Performers Certificates. Designed to develop confidence, group interaction skills and a sense of achievement in children up to the age of seven, groups of six to 12 children may enter for these awards, presenting their work to a Trinity College London examiner at our school.
Why a Young Performers Certificate?
Trinity College London’s Young Performers Certificates encourage young children to develop performance, musical and communication skills as they create and explore stories, songs, roles and situations through the imaginative and integrated use of movement, music, voice and artwork.
To encourage participation and provide a sense of progression, the certificates are available at three levels – Bronze, Silver (Kindergarten One level) and Gold (Kindergarten Two level).
What does it involve?
Children present a short group performance which takes the form of some kind of enactment of one of the following:
Story; nursery rhyme; poem; myth or fairy story; song; musical work
Children use a variety of performance, musical and communication skills such as:
Speaking poetry or prose; dramatic expression; singing; playing musical instruments; expressive movement; mime; use of costume; props, masks; use of puppets.
The children’s teacher is present throughout and may lead or direct the performance.
Silver Certificate
At the Kindergarten One level, the children will work towards the Silver Certificate, allowing them to develop their performance skills in a mutually supportive atmosphere.
- Group-based presentation (6-12 children) with individual/pair/small group contributions
- 8-12 minute performance
- Integration of two or three skills (performance, musical or communication skills)
- Teacher-supported
Gold Certificate
At the Kindergarten Two level, the children will pursue the Gold Certificate, the highest level of the Young Performers Certificates which aims to sufficiently develop performance skills to provide the children with a solid foundation for initial level graded exams in speech and drama, acting, musical theatre or music.
- Group-based presentation (6-12 children) with individual/pair/small group contributions
- 10-15 minute performance
- Integration of at least three skills (performance, musical or communications skills)
- Teacher may discreetly direct the performance
“It’s always gratifying to see children starting to develop their performance skills in this way – but it’s more gratifying to see them doing so with a genuine sense of involvement and enjoyment.” – John Gardyne, Head of Drama and Performance, Trinity College London.
